Mail-pouch



No. 610,769. Patented Sept. I3, |398.

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{Application'led July 1Q, 1897A (N0 Model.)

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SENECA O. REESE, OF KNOXVILLE,TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALE TO JESSE E. REESE, OF PANA, ILLINOIS.

MAIL-POUCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 610,769, dated September 13, 1898.

Application filed July J 1897.

simple and cheap construction by means of which the pouch can be fastened or unfastened with ease and rapidity, and whereby the strap will be better concealed from view.

A further object is to so construct the pouch that when the same is opened there is nothing upon the interior thereof to interfere with the free discharge of the mail-matter or its` introduction therein.

Other objects and advantages of the `invention will hereinafter appear, and the novel features thereof will be speciically defined by the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 isa rear elevation of the upper end of the mail-pouch, showing my improvement applied thereto, the closing-flap being raised. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View through the upper end of the pouch, showing the flap closed. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the iap closed and locked, the locking being shown :in section.

Referring to the numerals on the drawings, 1 indicates the body of the pouch, which is of ordinary construction, and secured to the rear side thereof adjacent its upper. edge by the two rows of rivets 2 is the strip 3. This strip is of sufficient width to fold over the mouth of the pouch and form the closingiiap. Extending inward from the iiap adjacent its outer longitudinal edge is a row of headed pins 4, which are riveted to said flap, as illustrated. Formed in the walls of the body of the pouch are the perforations 5, thro ugh which the locking-pins 4 are adapted to extend when the flap is folded over the Serial No. 644,100. (N0 model.)

mouth of the pouch to close the same, and riveted to the fixed portion of the strip 3 and covering the perforations therein are the lmetal cups 6, which are in line with perforations 5 in the pouch and are adapted to receive the heads of the pins 4 when the Hap is closed.

7 isa locking-strap which is movable in the space between the body portion of the pouch and the strip 3, formed by the securing-rivets 2, so that said locking-strap is not visible from either the inside or the outside of the pouch. This strap is also formed with the perforations 8, with which the longitudinallyextending slots 9 communicate, said strap being adapted to be moved longitudinally until the perforations thereof register with the perforations 5 in the pouch, so that the lockingpins 4, carried by the blade, will pass therethrough before engaging the cups 6. The strap is then drawn longitudinally, so that the shanks of pins 4 take the longitudinal slots, and thus prevent the withdrawal there of, so that the flap is held closed. Vhen it is desired to raise the iiap, the strap is drawn in the reverse direction until the perforations register with the perforations of the pouch, when, as will be understood, the flap may be opened. For insuring the movement of the strap to the right position for unlocking I cut away the same on opposite edges, as shown at 9, and provide the rivets or pins 10 upon the outer side of the pouch for engaging said cut-out portions and limiting the movement of the strap.

For locking the strap in position for preventin g the withdrawal of the lockingpins of the iiap I provide the iap with the plate 11, which carries the staple 12 and the frame 13. In this frame cards or slips bearing the name of the destination of the mail contained in the pouch may be placed. Upon one end of the strap is a lock-casing carrying any desired number of tumblers l5, having the arms 16 extending from opposite sides of the pivot thereof, with the free ends beveled, as shown, and extending toward each other, each tuinbler being held in engagement with the staple by the spring 17. The casing is provided with the key-hole 18, through which the key may be inserted for the purpose of lifting the tumblers from engagement with the staple, as will be understood.

The mode of operation will be readily understood from the preceding description when taken in connection with the annexed drawings. The closing and locking are all done in an instant; also the unlocking and opening. The push-key is inserted in the lock-easing and the tumblers disengaged from the staple, when the lock may be lifted and the strap given a pull with the left hand, and the pouch can be readily opened. The openings in the strap are bound with a suitable metallic binding 19, as illustrated, so as to make the same durable. A handle 2O is provided on the rear side of the pouch, whereby the same may be conveniently handled.

Modifications in detail may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination with a mail-pouch, of a flap therefor carrying a plurality of lockingpins adapted to pass through registering perforations in the body of the pouch, a lockingv y strap having projecting ends and which the locking-pins are adapted to engage, and a coacting lock carried on the projecting end of the strap, and a flap provided with a staple adapted to be engaged by the lock, substan tially as described.

2. The combination with a mail-pouch,of an independent piece secured thereto and constitutin g the iiap, a locking-strap movable between the body portion of the pouch and said piece, a plurality of locking-pins carried by the flap and adapted to extend through registering perforations in the body of the pouch and locking-strap, said locking-strap having projecting ends and adapted to move longitudinally to prevent the withdrawal of the locking-pin, and a coacting lock carried on the projecting end of the locking-strap, and

a iiap provided with a staple adapted to be engaged by the lock, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a mail-pouch,0f an independent piece secured thereto and constituting the flap, a locking-strap movable longitudinally between the body portion of the pouch and said piece, said locking-strap provided with perforations adapted to register with the perforations formed in the body portion of the pouch, cups or sockets carried by the independent piece and in line with the perforations of the pouch and locking-strap, a plurality of headed locking-pins carried by the flap and adapted to extend through the perforations of the pouch and locking-strap with their heads engaging the cups, said locking-strap being provided with slots communicatingwith the perforations, whereby when the strap is moved longitudinally the with- Y drawal of the locking-pins is prevented, and coacting lockingmeans carried by the strap and flap, substantially as described.

Il. The combination with a inail-pouch provided with perforations, of a locking-strap having projecting ends and movable longitudinally thereon and formed with perforations adapted to register with the perforations of the pouch, locking-pins carried by the flap and adapted to extend through the perforations of the pouch and strap, said strap being cut away on its edge, a pin carried by the pouch and engaging said cut-away portion to limit the movement of the strap, and a coacting lock carried on the projecting end of the strap, and a `flap provided with a staple to engage the lock, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this speciiication in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

SENECA C. REESE.

Vitnesses: i

ASHLEY S. JoHNsoN, NELLIE L. HALL. 

